U.S. Navy Strengthens Warship Defenses Against Anti-Ship Missiles With Electronic Warfare Systems.

The U.S. Navy is investing nearly $209 million to improve its warships’ ability to detect hostile radar emissions linked to anti-ship missile threats, ordering additional AN/SLQ-32(V)6 electronic-warfare systems from Lockheed Martin. The equipment strengthens electronic surveillance and threat identification aboard American surface combatants, helping crews recognize potential attacks earlier and make faster defensive decisions.

The U.S. Navy's AN/SLQ-32(V)6 SEWIP Block 2 electronic-warfare system improves American warships' ability to detect and identify hostile radar emissions associated with anti-ship missile threats. Lockheed Martin received a nearly $209 million contract modification to continue producing the system through September 2029. (Picture source: U.S. Navy)

Under a recently disclosed $208.96 million contract modification, the U.S. Navy will continue production of the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 2 through September 2029. The investment supports modernizing shipboard electronic defenses as American destroyers and other warships face increasingly sophisticated anti-ship missiles and radar-guided threats in contested maritime environments.

The AN/SLQ-32(V)6 is an advanced electronic-support configuration developed under SEWIP Block 2, the Navy's long-running effort to modernize the AN/SLQ-32 electronic-warfare family. Originally introduced in the late 1970s, the AN/SLQ-32 series provides electromagnetic signal detection, analysis, and threat warning for shipboard defensive operations. The Block 2 modernization replaces aging surveillance components with improved receivers, antennas, and combat-system interfaces designed to address evolving naval radar and missile threats.

Naval Sea Systems Command awarded the contract on September 30, 2026, and publicly reported it in early October, extending Lockheed Martin's production activities under agreement N00024-20-C-5503. If all associated options are exercised, the cumulative value of the underlying contract could reach approximately $1.71 billion. Manufacturing will take place primarily in Liverpool, New York, accounting for 78% of the work, with the remaining 22% performed in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

Unlike conventional shipboard radars that transmit electromagnetic signals to locate targets, the AN/SLQ-32(V)6 primarily relies on passive electronic surveillance to detect and analyze emissions from external sources. These include surveillance radars, fire-control radars, and electronic activity associated with hostile weapon systems. By identifying and characterizing these signals, the equipment helps operators distinguish routine radar activity from potential targeting and attack preparations.

The SEWIP Block 2 upgrade incorporates improved electronic-support antennas and receivers, along with combat-system interfaces that allow electronic-warfare information to support shipboard defensive operations. The AN/SLQ-32(V)6 configuration also integrates Specific Emitter Identification capabilities developed under Block 1B2 and the High Gain High Sensitivity sensor introduced through Block 1B3. These improvements strengthen radar-emitter identification and situational awareness in complex electromagnetic conditions.

These capabilities are particularly important for U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, which must protect themselves and accompanying vessels against aircraft, cruise missiles, and other airborne threats. Electronic-surveillance information can complement the ship's AN/SPY-series radar and Aegis combat system by providing additional indications of hostile radar activity. This helps commanders assess emerging threats and determine when to increase defensive readiness or prepare countermeasures.

During a potential missile engagement, earlier recognition of hostile radar emissions can provide additional time for defensive preparations. Crews may use this information to adjust surveillance priorities, coordinate responses, and prepare electronic countermeasures or missile interceptors. However, the AN/SLQ-32(V)6 is primarily an electronic-support system rather than a dedicated electronic-attack system, and the contract does not establish any specific increase in detection range or missile-interception performance.

This distinction is central to the U.S. Navy's electronic-warfare modernization strategy. SEWIP Block 2 concentrates on electronic support, improving the detection, classification, and processing of electromagnetic threats, while SEWIP Block 3 introduces advanced electronic-attack capabilities designed to disrupt hostile radar and missile-seeker operations.** Block 2 improves the crew's understanding of potential threats, while Block 3 provides additional means to interfere with enemy targeting systems. Together, they strengthen complementary layers of naval electronic warfare.

The AN/SLQ-32(V)6 has moved beyond development into full-rate production, a milestone SEWIP Block 2 achieved in September 2016. Its installation aboard Arleigh Burke-class destroyers demonstrates that the Navy is expanding an established capability rather than introducing an experimental system. The latest modification supports this modernization effort, though the announcement does not specify how many additional shipsets were ordered or which vessels are scheduled to receive them.

The contract's financial structure reflects continued investment in electronic-warfare equipment across the U.S. surface fleet. According to publicly released contract information, approximately $129.49 million comes from fiscal 2026 shipbuilding and conversion funds, while $58.15 million is allocated from fiscal 2026 other procurement funds. Additional obligations include $20.31 million in fiscal 2025 procurement funding and approximately $1.01 million in fiscal 2026 research, development, test, and evaluation funding.

The operational importance of electronic surveillance is growing as anti-ship missiles employ sophisticated radar seekers, low-altitude flight profiles, and coordinated attack tactics. These threats can reduce the time available for detection and defensive engagement. Electronic-support equipment provides an additional warning source by identifying relevant radar activity, potentially allowing crews to anticipate threats before their defensive radars establish complete tracks of incoming weapons.

For U.S. naval forces in the Indo-Pacific, this capability is especially relevant given extensive coastal surveillance networks, airborne sensors, and long-range anti-ship weapons. Improved electronic-support systems can help American destroyers recognize hostile targeting activity and coordinate defensive responses while operating in contested waters.

Continued production through September 2029 also sustains manufacturing capacity for specialized receivers, antennas, electronic components, and combat-system integration. Maintaining this industrial capability supports the Navy's ability to install and sustain upgraded electronic-warfare equipment across operational vessels.

The nearly $209 million investment ultimately reinforces a critical element of U.S. Navy warship protection: the ability to identify hostile electromagnetic activity and translate that information into timely defensive decisions. Although SEWIP Block 2 does not introduce a new missile interceptor or dedicated electronic-attack capability, it strengthens the threat-awareness component of layered shipboard defenses. Combined with naval radars, missile interceptors, and more advanced electronic-attack systems, the AN/SLQ-32(V)6 supports the survivability and combat effectiveness of American surface forces facing increasingly capable anti-ship weapons.

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Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.